empted to capture a new line of Russian works
which commanded their own trenches, but were beaten back, though their
losses were considerably less than the enemy's. On the same date a
combined fleet sailed to the east, entered the sea of Azof, and took the
town of Kertch. They also destroyed and captured many ships engaged in
bringing supplies to the Russian field-army, and wound up their
operations by taking other towns, and destroying huge depots of
supplies. On June 6th and 7th the fortress of Sebastopol was again
subjected to a fearful bombardment from 544 guns, and its walls and
forts reduced to masses of debris. In the evening of the second day the
French attacked and took a position known as the "White" works. They
then, with the aid of the Turks, captured a fort of great strength, and
now for some time in existence, known as the Mamelon, while the English
stormed and took others known as the "quarries". Thus the outer line of
Russian forts and trenches was in the hands of the Allies. But still
the stubborn and unyielding enemy clung to the fortress. The
bombardment was resumed, and on the 18th the Allies assaulted the main
works of the town, only to be driven back with heavy loss. After that,
for many a day, they contented themselves with cutting their trenches
and approaches, and slowly approaching to the fortress, the object being
to get so close that their attacking-parties might rush across the open
and reach the enemy before being swept away by the guns.

On 15th August a battle was fought close to the Mackenzie heights, in
which the French proved victorious, the Russian field-army, with whom
they were engaged, retiring with heavy loss. On the 17th the
bombardment of the fortress commenced again, and continued for some
days. It was renewed on September 5th, and continued till the 8th, when
a gigantic and combined assault took place. At a terrible cost in
killed and wounded the Malakoff was taken and held by the French. The
remainder of the attack failed, the English being forced to retire from
the Redan, while the French were driven from the little Redan and
curtain bastion. Next morning, after a defence of which all Russia may
well be proud, the enemy marched over a bridge built across the harbour,
and retired in good order, leaving burning fuses to their magazines. Of
these no fewer than thirty-five exploded with terrific noise and awful
results, keeping the camp in a state of alarm for two